View Full Version : howdy from the uk - day one
thought i would chip in and let you comment on my effort so far.
Backgroung of display- 5 x 2 x 2 with 240 ltr sump containing skimmer (massively inefficient), DSB in display (silica play sand), approx 100 kgs live rock.
Most corals are 7 years old and all fish but 2 of the tangs, are of similar age.
1872
I have always been interested in the algal screens as a method of saltwater maintenance but until now havent been enthused enough to try a proven method. Now is the time, mainly because my stock are requiring more and more good quality food stuffs.
1874
I feed 5ish (santa monica food units) per day, plus a diy coral mush twice a week.
The screen is 13 inch by 6 inch. At the moment only 50% of the screen is lit, both sides by a single 23watt cfl each side. Gonna be putting lights on the other end of the fitting very soon. Flow is 2500lts hour.
SantaMonica
04-04-2012, 02:04 PM
Let's watch that growth :)
Ace25
04-04-2012, 03:27 PM
Curious, how did you manage to get away with using "silica play sand" in an aquarium setting and not have constant algae/cyano problems? I had a silicate problem in the past due to using bad RO water and it took months to remedy using special silicate removers, and that was just using bad water for a water change.
Curious, how did you manage to get away with using "silica play sand" in an aquarium setting and not have constant algae/cyano problems? I had a silicate problem in the past due to using bad RO water and it took months to remedy using special silicate removers, and that was just using bad water for a water change.
I did a fair bit of research on the solubility of silica sand in salt water and there were 3 distinct points of view.
1) the people using expensive aragonite type sand said that a silica bed would be disastrous.
2) the people using silica sand ( bar a few exceptions ) said they had never had any problems.
3) the chemistry trained people said that silica sand was nearly inert in salt water.
So I went for the cheap silica sand and have never had any problems.
Ace25
04-05-2012, 12:07 AM
9 year old article on the topic.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1
In the first experiment I took 3 cups of sand, and suspended it in 3 gallons of freshly made Instant Ocean salt mix that initially contained less than 0.8 mM of silica (0.05 ppm SiO2). After 48 hours of gentle stirring with a powerhead (the water was stirring, but not the sand), the silica concentration had risen to 17 mM (1.0 ppm SiO2).
I then rinsed the same sand 5 times with 1 gallon RO/DI water (1 minute each time), discarded the contents, and then ran the same stirring experiment with 2 new gallons of Instant Ocean salt mix. In 48 hours the silica concentration had again risen, this time to 15 mM (0.92 ppm SiO2). Then I let it sit unstirred for another 96 hours, and the concentration had risen more, to 23 mM (1.4 ppm SiO2).
In a different experiment, I took about 45 pounds of sand, and added 2 gallons of Instant Ocean salt mix. I let this mixture sit for 7 days, with once a day mixing with my hands for about 30 seconds. At then end of this test, the concentration was 90 mM (5.4 ppm SiO2).
It has been suggested that the amount of silica coming from calcerous sand might actually be as high or higher than that from silica sand. To test this hypothesis, I repeated the small-scale experiments above on a calcium carbonate sand from Home Depot (Southdown). In this case, there was some soluble silica released after the first 48 h, but only 1.6 mM (0.1 ppm SiO2), or about a factor of 10 lower than the silica sand. In a long-term test, the concentration had only risen to 5 mM (0.3 ppm SiO2) in 14 days with once a day stirring.
From these experiments, I conclude that:
The “silica” play sand that I purchased from Home Depot can substantially raise the dissolved silica concentration in seawater.
The dissolvable portion of the silica sand cannot be completely removed by several rinses with either fresh or salt water, although it may be decreased somewhat by that process.
Southdown calcium carbonate sand (likely aragonite) can release soluble silica, but about ten fold less than the “silica” sand.
Ace 25 - good point.
I've read a lot of Randy's work (tests quoted) and this is the main evidence I used to determine whether or not I would risk it, or not. The next few paragraphs of his work is most interesting to me. Especially about perhaps dosing silica in reef tanks because so many organisms in the tank utilise it. I guess a silica bed will mean that I will not have to dose. Another benefit of silica sand?
I guess the specific type of sand I used must be just right for my tank.
SantaMonica
04-05-2012, 04:52 AM
Remember that diatoms can't grow without N and P, so regardless of the silica, if your scrubber is working you should not have problems.
kerry
04-05-2012, 07:23 AM
I used pool filter sand (silica type) in the bottom of my 40G and put crushed coral over the top that and kind of sifted it into the sand a bit. I have done this several other times without issues too. I have heard both sides of the fence on this but I can only relate to my experiences. One question I have is how would the silica come out of the sand?? Is silica part of the sand?? I have always been confused on this subject.
Ace25
04-05-2012, 10:26 AM
Silica sand = Quartz rock crushed up into sand particle sizes
Aragonite sand = Calcium Carbonate rock crushed up into sand particle sizes
2 completely different types of rock crushed up to make the "sand".
Anyway, I wasn't trying to derail the topic, I was just curious if Garf has seen any issues with using Silica sand since I see far more people that have issues than don't, but like he said, some silica sand can be better than others, rinsed more, and not release nearly as much silicates as other types. Only way to really know is to do a test like Randy has done.
Update on scrubber screen progress after 24hrs.
Going BROWN as expected.
1919
I am going to try a post regular pictures from a similar angle to document the evolution of this screen. I,m hoping to complete the lighting set-up in the next few days.
Update on scrubber screen progress after 48hrs.
going GREEN earlier than expected.
1920
i have spent today ensuring the light requirements are met for a scrubber of this size, so;
I made 4 of these;
1921
from 4 of these;
1922
and i ended up with this;
1923
SantaMonica
04-06-2012, 02:52 PM
Now that's a reflector.
Ace25
04-06-2012, 02:56 PM
Now that is some MacGyver'ing. :D Should work good though.
Did you get the medical condition where you had check the progress of the screen at every opurtunity!
Update on scrubber screen progress after 72hrs;
1942
a definate progression from dino to GHA.
1943
SantaMonica
04-07-2012, 02:01 PM
Should grow well.
Update on scrubber progress after 96hrs;
1976
1977
gmoney243
04-08-2012, 11:40 PM
i would look into getting some mylar or something smooth and reflective youll get tons more light than krinkled up alluminum foil. looking good so far tho
Update on scrubber progress after 5 days;
2000 ; 2001
after 6 days;
2002 ; 2003
and just before cleaning in the daylight;
2004
is this ok for a 7 day old virgin screen? Growth doesn't look very dramatic to me!
mess7777
04-11-2012, 11:33 AM
is this ok for a 7 day old virgin screen? Growth doesn't look very dramatic to me!
Doesn't look like much, but since it's only the first week don't worry too much. Others with more experience may have more too say, but I would just rinse the brown stuff off and get it back in.
DennisC
04-11-2012, 12:20 PM
I left mine for 3 weeks before my first clean, just 1 side.
Dennis
I have been looking around for a cheap reliable method for cutting a good slot in the feed pipe. I was at my d.i.y warehouse contemplating buying a dremel high speed cutting tool when I found this dremel attachment;
2030
thought I would give it a try at only £2.
Ran it in my drill at high speed and formed a perfect slot. The grinding wheel is 3.5mm in width. The increase in turbulance on the screen is very noticable.
kotlec
04-15-2012, 10:14 AM
Did you cut or just widened with this tool ?
Ace25
04-15-2012, 10:21 AM
I was wondering the same thing, I have a bunch of those grinding wheels but I didn't think they would be able to cut a slot, just widen them. The hardest part I found was getting the slot wide enough for the grinding wheel to fit in without going to wide where you have a spot that squirts water out of. Also I have found the grinding wheels tend to "gum up" with melted PVC very quickly. For me, using a table saw, even a cheap $40 "mini" table saw (which is actually cheaper than what I paid for my dremel and bits) from Harbor Freight worked better for me. I tried the grinding wheel, cut off disc, milling bit, and any other dremel bit I could find just never worked as well as I hoped, but then again, I never made a jig for it which makes all the difference when trying to get a straight clean line/slot.
Did you cut or just widened with this tool ?
Cut the slot with it. Run the drill at top speed and lowered onto first end firmly. Once through stopped the drill and got the wife to prop the drill in the correct position. Then told her to hang on for all she was worth. She ran the drill at full speed again while I slowly fed the pipe into the disc for the full length of the slot. Like an upside down table saw. Works a treat.
Ace25 - I also thought it would start to melt the plastic but it didn't.
Update on scrubber screen progress after 2 weeks, just before my second clean;
2065 and a bit closer2066
i'm quite pleased that the screen is thickening up a bit.
Thought i would show you my £2 slot while it was all disassembled;
2067
Update on scrubber screen progress after 3 weeks, just before my 3rd clean;
2150 and a bit closer 2151
The screen is still very dark, an olive drab colour. However the amount of scrapings i got off the screen has doubled in a week, now about half a cup full. After cleaning there is a bright green algae hiding in all the holes, i hope this spreads in the next few weeks.
kerry
04-25-2012, 10:33 AM
Its well on its way.
mess7777
04-25-2012, 11:10 AM
Sounds pretty much identical to mine, and the growth looks the same as well. Good times!
Cleared my screen again today a couple of days early to allow my air injection experiment to prove or disprove itself. When i got up this morning i saw this floating mat of growing algae in my sump.
2212
Have never seen this before so it must have come off my screen then been formed into a mat by the small bubbles created by air injection into the pump (skimmer like). I wonder if this is normal for a new screen but largely goes unnoticed. The screen didn't look patchy but its obviously come from somewhere. The mat was about 4 inches by 2 inches by 1 inch thick. When removing the screen for cleaning i found there was another one identical on the other side of the sump. However when i removed the algae i found it shrank into the size of a small marble. The algae obviously looks a lot larger floating around in the water than it actually is. Just to be on the safe side, i have put a bit more "roughage" on the screen.
Polyp extension on my monti digi this morning was enormous. I'm really pleased i started this scrubber stuff.
just an update to show the spread of calcifying algae spreading on the glass. Presumably from lowered phosphate even though my scrubber is not fully functional yet.
2251
SantaMonica
05-06-2012, 12:24 PM
Start buying glass scrapers :)
i seem to be having a growth rate increase;
2288
This is currently 10 inches across, and 8 inches high. All the tips are growing fast, all at the same time, thats not happened before! Gonna have to keep a closer eye on calc and alk i reckon.
pic taken straight after lights out. moonlight only.
screen progression at 24 hr intervals using air injection and low lighting combo;
2332233323342335233623372341
When in natural light, the screen looks very dark green and not as black as it looks here 2342
This is the cleanest i could get the screen without using a tool 2343
the day 7 and full screen shots area actually photos of an ipad screen because photostream crashed on me. Fixed now but couldn't retieve actual pictures to post.
After 10 weeks scrubbing its time for a progress update. I have slightly improved my cfl reflectors. The tin foil i used to line the reflectors started to corrode, so i removed this. This time I formed a cardboard template, cut more foil and encapsulated this with a laminating pouch. Forming this into a reflector shape, seems to work quite well and it certainly should not corrode.
2659
Turned my skimmer off 6 or 7 weeks ago and upto now there seems to be no ill effects. I am not surprised at this because it wasnt doing much anyway. A far as the display is concerned I still havent cleaned my front glass because algal growth has slowed to a crawl. However, gonna give it a good clean this week.
2658
As you can see by this latest tank shot, nothing is being adversley affected by running with a scrubber. picture taken just after lights on today.
Eventually got round to cleaning the glass yesterday.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/34d2483b.jpg (http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/34d2483b.jpg)
Redbone
06-23-2012, 06:42 AM
Beautiful saltwater tank! I've always wanted to try one salt with my 180 but I have some reservations. Think I'll reserve them for later. Great tank!
SantaMonica
06-23-2012, 08:36 AM
Hope the sticks in the middle reach the top soon :)
Hope the sticks in the middle reach the top soon :)
Cheers SM. Will be interesting to see what it does when it runs out of water !!
kerry
06-25-2012, 02:36 PM
Awesome!!!
About time for a screen progress update. This pic is 7 days growth, still running bubbles on screen, but with pump turned off for photo. Got away with a 14 day cleaning last time without die off or noticeable pod damage, so gonna leave 14 days as my cleaning schedule for now.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/058babab.jpg
I have noticed that the growth is reaching my splash shield in certain places at the end of the cycle.
Slightly overdue for a scrubber bulb change ( by a couple of weeks ). So today replaced all 4 with exactly the same bulb type and supplier. The increase in intensity is quite astounding. It's strange how you don't notice slight decrease in performance over time, as I thought the current bulbs were ok for a while longer. Obviously not the case! Gonna replace my cheap display halide bulbs now also because they are cheap, 12 months old and probably vastly under performing.
Screen pic update after 12 days to try to show thickness I am getting with bubbles on the screen;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/8d2d5de8.jpg
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/02a46bf7.jpg
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/0944f00a.jpg
And also gave the screen a haircut to see if this aids faster repopulation of the screen
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/60f8fe1e.jpg
Terminated my "Haircut test", shaved it off and continuing normal screen cleans at 12 days. Didn't want to mess up the progress that has already been made. Still no Alkalinity issues with bubbles on screen.
Floyd R Turbo
08-06-2012, 08:30 AM
fantastic growth!
Few more screen shots at 13days ( 4 with Co2 supplementation )
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/ef588eee2a08fa604a592e29e293370b.jpg
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/a7d9f9aead3c5548c1edcf33d2b12ee2.jpg
Did a hairdresser cut this time, 3mm ( no 1 ) all over screen. Did anyone think I was joking ?
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/7f711e3d81ba93cc4d8a1d459deffdcc.jpg
Floyd R Turbo
08-15-2012, 01:10 PM
LOL. Is that a waterproof clippers? Air powered?
Why not just pull out the flowbee
LOL. Is that a waterproof clippers? Air powered?
Why not just pull out the flowbee
Good old British 240v Ac. Birthday present from my sister. Will be the last present I ever get if she finds out I am cutting the grass with them.
steve
08-16-2012, 05:23 AM
Garf,
What wattage cfls have you ended up with and what size screen? I'm struggling to get mine to turn green and have 2 x 45W with wing reflectors and 8" x 11" screen.
Hi Steve - 13 x 10 inch screen, but lit area is 13 x 6 (remainder in pipe and below waterline). Lighting provided by 4 x 23w cfl approx 2 inch from screen with DIY laminated tin foil reflectors.
steve
08-16-2012, 06:40 AM
Thanks for that. Hope you don't mind me asking a couple more questions :-)
Is the base of your reflectors cardboard, or something else?
Would I be right in thinking you're using more than the 60lph guideline on flow?
Where did you get your 23w spirals from?
Cheers mate!
Steve.
Thanks for that. Hope you don't mind me asking a couple more questions
Is the base of your reflectors cardboard, or something else?
Would I be right in thinking you're using more than the 60lph guideline on flow?
Where did you get your 23w spirals from?
Cheers mate!
Steve.
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?1823-howdy-from-the-uk-day-one&p=21952&viewfull=1#post21952
2500 ltr flow over 13 inch screen
Asda, Safeway B&q - someone's usually selling them for a couple of quid each.
SantaMonica
08-16-2012, 09:04 AM
Nice.
BTW if you use the "insert image" button the pics will show right up.
Pic of my flow restrictor thingy for Floyd. Works for me. As you can see, 4 months in the tube and its clean as a whistle.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/243749a9866fe073e0c686217ce3697f.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/243749a9866fe073e0c686217ce3697f.jpg)
I just push it in with a kebab stick !
Right, now my scrubber is fully functional;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/ce72da7482b2d11c6e3f5a35c0aa0b23.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/ce72da7482b2d11c6e3f5a35c0aa0b23.jpg)
Lets see what it can do with phos at > 1
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/a9d83d57be754453dab5b404afe714e0.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/a9d83d57be754453dab5b404afe714e0.jpg)
And nitrates of nearly 40
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/6fb17d61d4bfa15f7c9c009892bdfab4.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/6fb17d61d4bfa15f7c9c009892bdfab4.jpg)
This is SCAR. He apologises unreservedly for leaving his " signature " in a couple of the photos;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/b9327969d1be9bcf124cdf59b0a21c46.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/b9327969d1be9bcf124cdf59b0a21c46.jpg)
kerry
08-29-2012, 11:42 AM
LOL, I seen the turd beside the bird cage but didn't say anything.
LOL, I seen the turd beside the bird cage but didn't say anything.
Hope you didn't think I had done it !?
kerry
08-29-2012, 02:09 PM
LOL No, I have three dogs, I am very familiar with what that looks like as I walk though my yard to my shop LOL.
Just won Marinefish UK TOTM with this pic ;
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?1984-Garfs-iphone-pics&p=23997&viewfull=1#post23997
kotlec
09-03-2012, 11:37 AM
Congrats !
SantaMonica
09-03-2012, 02:13 PM
!!!
kerry
09-05-2012, 08:14 AM
Kewl!!! How many gallon tank?
Water tested at 12ppm nitrate, phos under 1. Quite a big improvement in just a week. Hopefully things will be back to where they were before I started this scrubber game, but even better because now I am feeding twice as much and not doing water changes. Got about 1 litre of crap from my skimmer in the last week, I think it's started to slow down again now though.
Kerry - its a 5x2x2 ( whatever that works out at ).
Edit - oh yeah, bought myself a red sea nitrate test kit. Will be more useful at lower ranges than the API one I have used forever. Although seems quite accurate at the higher end.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/27733e1205d1e1930b03ecdc032667df.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/27733e1205d1e1930b03ecdc032667df.jpg)
SantaMonica
09-13-2012, 08:02 PM
!!!
Best water tests in history of this system, N 3. P .17
Done a few things today. Firstly put an 18000k t8 15w on one side of the scrubber to experiment with blue and uv. Second, had to rearrange my light reflectors to make more space for the t8. Thirdly, noticed the bulbs were giving off quite a bit of heat, so moved my bubble screen air inlet pipe into the hot zone created by my new reflector, to see if I can take advantage of this quote;
"Potential impacts of increased sea surface temperature on algal turf, uprightmacroalgae and CCA species, include increased metabolism, increasedproduction (Beardall et al. 1998), and changes in seasonality, growth andreproduction (Breeman 1990).
Not expecting anyone to read this link because its huge, just putting it here so I don't lose it;
http://coralreefecology.ucsd.edu/files/2010/09/16-diaz-pulido.pdf
Just gotta try to channel the rest of the excess heat to my skimmer and perhaps my main tank heater won't be on as much. Have also found some data that may suggest increasing skimmer temp, also increases skimming but not enough info to confidently post a link yet.
Growth pics today. Made a right hash of the pics, sorry. Hopefully you get the idea; still no let up in growth, if anything it's getting thicker. Wet weight of harvest 490grms.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/c1836d00e183cd5212e0a45b84d4e216.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/c1836d00e183cd5212e0a45b84d4e216.jpg)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1b93db0b3820da67ec999504e6253e86.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1b93db0b3820da67ec999504e6253e86.jpg)
This post; http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?1823-howdy-from-the-uk-day-one&p=19993&viewfull=1#post19993
may confirm my recent discovery that increased flow causes hardier ( phosphate rich ) algae. It must be the case that my co2 experiment does actually cause more screen turbulence, stripping weak ( phosphate poor ) algae and evolving a stronger algae. This is further backed up by when my screen is totally cleaned, brown algae grows at first, then turns green as the cycle developes. I propose that the brown algae is phosphate rich.
Edit - turns out my "discovery" may be flawed.
My reasoning for it may be a "lot" suspect, but this is how my screen developes brown first then turns green as it thickens up. Do screens without bubbles do this ? This is a 4 day screen.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fcfea723bdf6a974f21e1b3fd56b6fc6.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fcfea723bdf6a974f21e1b3fd56b6fc6.jpg)
SantaMonica
10-13-2012, 12:08 PM
Most screens do. Nutrients in the water are higher when the screen is "fresh", but as the screen grows, nutrients in the water are reduced, thus allowing greener growth.
I have noticed a slight increase in N and P, when I have just cleaned the screen. This lasts about 4 days until the growth kicks in again. My confusion arises when the tufts of green algae that are attached to the screen after a clean stay green and do not brown.
SantaMonica
10-13-2012, 02:51 PM
Because the are already grown; they are already a particular species. Species don't morph into other species; they stay alive as themselves until they die.
RkyRickstr
10-13-2012, 03:14 PM
I have noticed a slight increase in N and P, when I have just cleaned the screen. This lasts about 4 days until the growth kicks in again. My confusion arises when the tufts of green algae that are attached to the screen after a clean stay green and do not brown.
This is very frustrating for me. Thats why im running a HOG.5 along with my waterfall.. see if it helps between cleanings.
Because the are already grown; they are already a particular species. Species don't morph into other species; they stay alive as themselves until they die.
A while back I posted that maybe a partial screen "restart" may be the best way to grow different species which take advantage of varying nutrient levels. I think this is what is happening here also, even though not intentional.
Few of today's screen shots;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1a40c53a3cb7f8322a5a35234dd2a826.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1a40c53a3cb7f8322a5a35234dd2a826.jpg)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fc5db945c3e36a5604152609d55eef5b.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fc5db945c3e36a5604152609d55eef5b.jpg)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/bb4e2635b3402b00608f85fb8873d98d.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/bb4e2635b3402b00608f85fb8873d98d.jpg)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f7319bf2525df451e766c14468d8e7cb.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f7319bf2525df451e766c14468d8e7cb.jpg)
Ace25
10-23-2012, 12:21 PM
I don't think you could ask for a better looking screen of algae. :)
Cheers Ace. Got a few "improvements" still going on this screen. Now maybe time to try the wierdest improvement yet. May play some trance music to my screen with some cheap speakers placed next to it;
http://www.oilgae.com/club/users/tomcatino/blogs/1276
kotlec
10-25-2012, 09:00 AM
"Wan’s team, in fact, found a level of optimum exposure that led to a quadrupling of growth of the biomass, ...."
Just WooooW
You will be first to try it for tank :D and may be think about undertable fuel plant.
Ace25
10-25-2012, 09:32 AM
I used the "cricket sounds" back in the 80's when I was into growing other types of plants. ;) It seemed to be the most logical 'sound' method for increasing crop growth from my research.
http://www.relfe.com/sonic_bloom.html
Anyone interested in growing a load of bacteria ? The co2 injection appears to have induced a load of bacteria ( I assume that's what it is [clear slime]) on the unlit area of the screen and the small screen in the slot pipe.
http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html
Gonna have to tip your head to the side on the third pic !
Side with cfl's and blue tube;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/0acc347ed351c768797679f704d2dd79.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/0acc347ed351c768797679f704d2dd79.jpg)
Just cfl's;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/55a97908130bd7aa6e926e0a873473a8.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/55a97908130bd7aa6e926e0a873473a8.jpg)
Harvest nearly 800 grms;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f3bf94e79e920e9baee692c08a8cd91d.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f3bf94e79e920e9baee692c08a8cd91d.jpg)
End on;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/ae5e9e194aef5b8e73f2e575478560c5.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/ae5e9e194aef5b8e73f2e575478560c5.jpg)
kotlec
11-08-2012, 07:16 AM
I believe my best harvest was 10 gram :D
This time (after messing about with screen cleaning techniques) I have decided to clean one side of my screen every seven days, alternating it obviously. I can see several benefits to this;
1) the seven day algae is now lit from both sides, reducing light limitation
2) the seven day algae is supplied with more flow, co2 and gas exchange
3) the bare screen can repopulate faster as it grows through the screen from the other side
This is a pic of a 2 day old screen (this side anyway)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/19e299eae1d37d98a0d4b9eb015d9c4d.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/19e299eae1d37d98a0d4b9eb015d9c4d.jpg)
Pathetic yellow patches show how must light is being blocked from the nine day algae on the other side (that is actually how much light is passing through the algae [2 x 23w cfls])
This is the same screen but with the front lights turned off. Doubt much photosynthesis would be happening on a 14 day screen (at the screen surface) considering this is a 9 dayer.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f5b0af2e7b4d3e6da843aeeeed437925.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f5b0af2e7b4d3e6da843aeeeed437925.jpg)
"Grow It Through Screen" after 4 days;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/b237326289af1fcf7f07b974ebb0cba9.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/b237326289af1fcf7f07b974ebb0cba9.jpg)
Normal 4 day screen;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fcfea723bdf6a974f21e1b3fd56b6fc6.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fcfea723bdf6a974f21e1b3fd56b6fc6.jpg)
6 day growth on left, 13 days on right. Scraped edge of screen to define left from right.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1fd2f88f097d582bfd6b23aa1d3184f7.jpg (http://http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1fd2f88f097d582bfd6b23aa1d3184f7.jpg)
kotlec
11-21-2012, 09:10 AM
2x time , but 5x growth ! How thick it is ?
Do you notice any dye off at all ?
Kotlec - its about 20mm thick on the 13 day screen. No indications of die off previously, except when I used to clean it, the screen would turn brown initially. The last two times (cleaning just one side),no brown, just lots of green.
Wierdly - the brown patches I used to get we're in exactly the same pattern as the pic from 4 days ago which shows the area of highest intensity of light penetrating the screen. This leads me to believe the the higher light intensity combined with lower flow, deep in the mat, are contriving together to reduce filtering capacity.
SantaMonica
11-23-2012, 01:11 PM
20 mm is about as far as a strong light will go. A few days of this and the roots will be dead and brown.
On another note, the water clarity in the display is fantastic. Theres some small particulates floating around, but the actual water has never been clearer. Previously when the screen had just been cleaned, a few days of "drabness" would happen. Not any more !
kotlec
11-24-2012, 10:39 AM
If I let my screen grow to 20mm it can take 2 month :) That would be almost maintenance free tank.
Never seen it thicker than 3mm or so.
Left screen another 6 days, got 310grammes (just one side) harvest and a totally different screen profile. It's about 10mm thick on BOTH sides ?!? And a lot denser than normal (velvety to the touch). Very tough to shear from the screen, and photosynthesis seems to be overpowering my crappy DIY Co2 generator because the sump pH increased yesterday to 8.3. Now half the screen is clean again it's dropping to set point. Gonna have to make a stronger mixture me thinks.
6 day screen on right, 12 on left;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/9c14189c350c483cb8e46279f7e3dcb2.jpg
Normal service has resumed, and another 300g harvest;
13 day side;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/4b2ca7602011f543cba40e83131391ac.jpg
7 day side;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/193ca380d55149bdb7f73409f44dee7a.jpg
Edge on;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/139d19205e36ed058444780a08154ead.jpg
Cleaned side;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f841cda63d1e1b361675eea5b8c926f9.jpg
SantaMonica
12-05-2012, 10:32 AM
That is about as perfect as it gets.
WannaRace
12-05-2012, 12:22 PM
Ah, such inspirational photos! :p
Another set from this week;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/9f516605cc7add35ddfeb1e7e7d2d131.jpg
7 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/bd9be57564192f6d943f3abe6d2a309f.jpg
14 day side
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/e550590d0772df67d32942df0597357a.jpg
Time to test the boundaries and see how long I can leave the screen before the inner layers suffer. On this latest set there's still no die off after 16 days growth on one side. 400grammes harvest.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/a29f02c0279e8edbfa7889fbc3b798ec.jpg
16 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/67a312c7c8e451f012f9d22d366edec3.jpg
9 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/974a6461cdb00161ba078bb3b1d0cbaf.jpg
Next time it will be a 9 and 18 days test.
WannaRace
12-20-2012, 03:50 PM
What's your hours like, Garf?
That looks incredible. I've never been more jealous of someone that has MORE algae in their tank than me! :-)
2 x 23watt cfl's each side and on the thicker side an additional 15watt T8 blue(ish) tube for 18hours a day. Beginning to wonder if I should take the plunge and rig up an LED system to really boost the growth.
Not gonna get any more on the screen I reckon. Just about maxed out ! Started (only just) to degrade the lower levels at 9 and 18 days, nearly 400 grammes harvest and water looks great (skimmer in operation also bubbles on screen).
edge on 9days left, 18 right
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/2fe7e07e38c9a8e735a67cd1692c39c9.jpg
9 day side
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fbae4692f7b39783922b3fc1ba6f2d29.jpg
18 day side
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/d48c8187b2b557ed497f56c2ba223ac3.jpg
I know SM has said before that increasing light has increased filtering potential, but finally I've found a paper that suggests the reason behind this, and it's got little to do with extra growth. In fact it's to do with supplying more light than the algae can use for growth.
"This indicates that with intense illumination, the CO2 fixation rate can exceed the rate of nitrogen assimilation and, thus, the excess carbon and energy derived from photosynthesis are stored in the form of glycogen (Fay, 1983; Campbell et al., 1998; Zak et al., 2001). "
This indicates to me that thick growth may be under illuminated in many instances. To this end I've ordered a 50watt UFO LED grow lamp, to illuminate through the harvested side of the screen, deep into the un harvested side.
Will keep you posted
Another update, still no die off at the screen. Appears I was wrong about it being maxed out. Got extra 15% harvest this time at 450 grammes wet weight......
Edge
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/d6767ec944d9409b015bbb08857627ab.jpg
9 day
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/f374cc7d03e3e522c65c9d66939b3858.jpg
18 day
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/ba72db7ab4fa000b0f0a1aa308b3e1f9.jpg
Sticking with harvesting at 9 days for now.
sabbath
01-07-2013, 06:36 AM
I know SM has said before that increasing light has increased filtering potential, but finally I've found a paper that suggests the reason behind this, and it's got little to do with extra growth. In fact it's to do with supplying more light than the algae can use for growth.
"This indicates that with intense illumination, the CO2 fixation rate can exceed the rate of nitrogen assimilation and, thus, the excess carbon and energy derived from photosynthesis are stored in the form of glycogen (Fay, 1983; Campbell et al., 1998; Zak et al., 2001). "
This indicates to me that thick growth may be under illuminated in many instances. To this end I've ordered a 50watt UFO LED grow lamp, to illuminate through the harvested side of the screen, deep into the un harvested side.
Will keep you posted
Wouldn't you want the brighter LEDs on the unharvested side? This would get the light down deeper into the thick side. If you put it on the harvested side. I would think that it could burn the thinner algae. Or is that what you meant?..
Wouldn't you want the brighter LEDs on the unharvested side? This would get the light down deeper into the thick side. If you put it on the harvested side. I would think that it could burn the thinner algae. Or is that what you meant?..
Gonna try it on the thinner side first to get right to the "inner layers" of the 9 day old stuff. But yeah, I agree there is a risk of over doing things, but I'll be reducing the distance between lights and screen incrementally, so hopefully the screen will become acclimatised over a few weeks. Because my scrubber is set up to view the unharvested side, hopefully this will allow me to see how much penetration is going on, through the algae, just by turning the cfl lights off.
Wouldn't you want the brighter LEDs on the unharvested side? This would get the light down deeper into the thick side. If you put it on the harvested side. I would think that it could burn the thinner algae. Or is that what you meant?..
Decided to put it on the unharvested side like you said, two reasons, first it was easier, second made more sense.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/6c60e1185e35ca9b01422b5209fde461.jpg
No pics today but 500gramme harvest, attachment to the screen is extremely firm.
Previous picture was an 18 day screen (grown with cfl's). Here's a pic of an 11day screen, 9 days under cfl's, 2 under the LED. Seems to be filling out. Nicely.
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/5923a759bebe2b6a180818597b868e3d.jpg
7 days exposure to the LED and all looks good;
Under LED
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/d9d59405c1c1c621502a601381299431.jpg
Under Flash only
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1b2edffda37c26915e2bd977b00cf87c.jpg
Cole_lol
01-25-2013, 08:06 PM
Wow Garf. That is some crazy growth. I dont know what my deal is all I get to grow on mine is Brown. I am comeing up on my 4th 7 day cleaning and still brown.
I did notice that almost all my Cyno is about gone in my display tank tho... So maybe the green stuff is comeing...
Wow Garf. That is some crazy growth. I dont know what my deal is all I get to grow on mine is Brown. I am comeing up on my 4th 7 day cleaning and still brown.
I did notice that almost all my Cyno is about gone in my display tank tho... So maybe the green stuff is comeing...
Mine took 10 or 11 weeks to get "crazy" so patience is vital. Curious about the cyano ! Have your nutrient levels gone below those considered limiting (ie "zero") with a brown screen.
Anyway, update from this weeks screen
This cycle was with UFO LED on the unharvested side
10 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/a325e063f7c6f95dd8c7b2ca66c0e812.jpg
19 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/d451fc5a25a5a11dd8724b3b1971a46c.jpg
Edge (obviously)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/14ae96524a781dfa6c3c5f6b4aca3000.jpg
UFO lights working, so gonna get another for the other side. Cfl's and blue (ish) tube on the harvested side for now.
Cole_lol
01-26-2013, 03:55 PM
No, My Nitrates are still sitting at 25ppm. I have been doseing a Bacteria Additive as one of my Local Fish Stores stated my Cyano could be from a bad bacteria cutlture and I needed to starve it out with a diffrent bacteria strain. But, my Nitrates stated at 75ppm or so I think. So its an improvement. I just ordered some leds to make a LED Fixture. So we will see what it does.
Still running Bubbles On Screen Scrubber. Another 9 days gone. I am now harvesting the same amount every 9 days (cleaning 1 side at a time) than I was every 14 days (cleaning both sides at once). There is zero die off at the screen and the benefits of having constant filtering are self explanatory. The led UFO is also doing a good job so far;
19 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1facda58d557d1e574b7672fda9c58ad_zpsd47d4076.jpg
9 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/5f5c418c4821651817aa4e979f0aaff1_zpsa7dbeb77.jpg
Awesome growth you got there Garf :)
btw...whereabouts in uk are you ? near derby here
With reference to the Photosynthetically Induced Phosphate Precipitation test;
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?2611-Photosynthetically-Induced-Phosphate-Precipitation&p=29905&viewfull=1#post29905
Been running a few days now without running bubbles on the screen or skimmer. One noticeable problem is the pH swing in the sump. Scrubber lights on, pH goes to above 8.6 (calibrated probe). Scrubber lights off, pH drops to 7.72. Within 5 minutes of turning the scrubber lights back on, the pH gets to 8.00.That a massive swing in anyone's book. Gonna get a timer, to run my skimmer when the scrubber lights are off. Have now got the bubbles on a screen activated by the pH controller at >8.5.
Another 10% increase in harvest @ 545 grammes. Running bubbles on the screen to maximise growth and reduce alk consumption for 5 days then turning the bubbles off for the 4 days prior to harvest and allowing the pH to increase with reference to this - http://algaescrubber...e-Precipitation (http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?2611-Photosynthetically-Induced-Phosphate-Precipitation)
18 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/453fe2c5a62156ea6d6c79afe1550a39_zps1c1a5ea3.jpg
9 days
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/c2aa155ccd8eddf207b0dc56a3c9fb1a_zps110d37a7.jpg
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/b18aeff7f5cd44f5ce31cd7f89260785_zps89db0187.jpght tp://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/9f817a7eb517c2c734694e6eca5fe18a_zps5061b4b2.jpg
Breakin Newz
03-01-2013, 10:13 PM
Amazing growth!!! 1 question the blue tang in your tank is it an Atlantic blue tang?
Well, I knew him as a Carribean blue but seems Atlantic blue is the same, so yeah, your right. Ive got a couple of types of tangs;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/a701a88a6421042cdb221e87b37df2e1.jpg
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/aecea30d95bb421dc6da05a39a2017e9.jpg
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/9a1772fe56d9d6c49c3d2d978681daa9.jpg
Oh yeah, and mr ugly;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/59fcb970.jpg
19 days complete with sparkly bits and fireworm; nitrate has got up a bit, phos has come down a bit, 470 gramme harvest (down);
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/57624f05b7e61552fb662b08a3aad96e_zps0aaafa37.jpg
10 days, with more sparkly bits;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/52812d0bd02ca1fb2f2e30888d843686_zpsb555adf4.jpg
Edge;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/4b7d968fa97d479a2ff6cb3f6760c088_zps8e4e6ec4.jpg
This has happened since turning the air off ?
This has happened since turning the air off ?
Yeah. Also got a bit of algae going white at the screen also, showing early stages of death. Gonna give it a few more cycles, and if things don't improve the bubbles are going back on, full time.
So the air injection could be helping to prevent the matting associated with waterfall scrubbers ?
So the air injection could be helping to prevent the matting associated with waterfall scrubbers ?
Good spot, the holes in the highest lit portion of the screen are caused by oxygen bubbles that get trapped against the algae, maybe reducing filtering/growth. Never got this with the bubbles on the screen;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/da5792f5797d0939a5248f8dcfa550a0_zpsea21263d.jpg
Update - last screen cleaning harvested 390 grammes (last week) down
370 grammes (this week) down
nitrates going up, phos coming down.
Gonna implement full aeration again now to see if the growth loss is aeration (pH) mediated. Don't need to reduce phos any more anyway.
Thankfully, Nitrate back down to pre phosphate precipitation test, phos level constant, harvest increase to 410grammes.
Just to keep this thread upto date;
Have put a plastic sheet on one side of the screen to try and increase flow through the mat;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/33c0a620c1a18e2118bd9622deafc03e_zpsf8eb1463.jpg
Also drastically reduced the cleaning period. Gonna try one sided cleaning every 4 days. I'm thinking that maybe I'm missing the exponential growth phase and using the Hydromentia philosophy of "regular harvest improves overall yield" or something along them lines, hopefully although harvest weight will be massively reduced, the average growth per area of screen will increase.
Pic of last harvested algae for the hell of it;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/4e4f145b959f2836bec2c6e0fa62d1bb_zpsc33a650a.jpg
This is how I'm gonna be keeping track of growth increase / reductions;
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?2733-Quantifying-Biomass&p=31430&viewfull=1#post31430
Tried the squeezing technique and started at 295 grammes (this side is 100 sq inch, 9 days 2 x crap cfl's + 4 days LED growlight). After vigorous squeezing could only get it down to 155 grammes. So perhaps my dense carpet of algae holds a bit more comparative mass. Anyway, the calculations for this would be 155/13/100 (tel:155/13/100)so 0.119 compared to Floyds 0.104. However, that's trying to account for the fact I'm cleaning only one side at a time ie. the screen size figure of 100 is only half of the actual screen size. These figures may be more useful when tinkering with individual systems, rather than comparing different systems as we know, all systems tend to run slightly differently.
First time of reduced cleaning period.
8 day side
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/8e05330e710b201f6a8bb7519aba231c_zps3889d6fb.jpg
4 day side
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/aa3477c21a9b13857b960396e4bb6492_zps1990806f.jpg
The harvest [squeezed] was a dismal 38 grammes. So the calculation would be 38/8/100 so 0.0475 (not even half of previous). However I'm gonna be keeping the faith for a while and see if this picks up.
Similar amounts of harvest this time, so still poor. I have noticed however that the bubbles on the screen are causing oily bubbles on the sump surface. Turned my skimmer on and it's gone crazy. This may hold as evidence to my theory that thick screens (underlit, poor flow) are actually consumers of dissolved organics, while thin highly lit screens are producers. Anyway, in other news, I've got my paint roller tray horizontal scrubber in operation. The screen is attached to a heavy duty Perspex plate, formed to fit the paint roller tray. This should keep the screen from floating and make screen removal easy. There's lots of turbulence without a counter flow of bubbles but I'm gonna be bubbling one end anyway (sooner or later). One end of the tray is 1 inch in depth, the other end 2 inches.
Hmm - got a slot pipe blockage today, not from algae, it was the heterotrophic dino's (the slimy stuff similar to what you get from carbon dosing) Not had that happen since I stopped CO2 additions.
Same harvest this time (well, slightly less) so going back to a longer growth period, it was worth a try I suppose. The algae is very watery, compared to what I get with the thicker screens. Now, when the algae is squeezed, it leaks green water. I don't get that with the thicker growth. Stopping this experiment also enables me to fix my lighting as the CFLs on the one side are 7 months old and very yellow. Onwards and Upwards!
itzrulez
05-10-2013, 01:45 PM
that horizontal screen, its in the same tank?
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/c6dfcf087c8818c6338518241b0abdb7_zpseb1b3d30.jpg
itzrulez
05-10-2013, 08:41 PM
uhm... I think that you're having slightly less algae, because of that then...
nice tank,ATS, and topic.
really rare to see a up to date topic like this :D
uhm... I think that you're having slightly less algae, because of that then...
nice tank,ATS, and topic.
really rare to see a up to date topic like this :D
Thanks :)
been playing around, trying to get the water to surge out of the slot pipe. So I put an airline in the delivery pipe (after the pump) didn't work as I hoped, but it does seem to have increased flow and made the flow more turbulent. It's fed by a decent air pump with a check valve.
Before modification
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/8416ac914473fb5a4cbbce23bd90fa93_zpsc391bd3e.jpg
The modification
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/cb4e9008f2e3b5e928e0205192d52c8f_zps3c69e2ed.jpg
After modification
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/de54ae34f7746bb29df85e2f4b63e295_zps1ea5e415.jpg
of course it may be an illusion, but perhaps the relative density of the fluid above the pump is decreased therefor reducing pumping resistance. Someone who knows about pumps will perhaps correct me.
Couple of pics for comparing old knackered cfl's, 7 months old (4 days growth)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/74536fbcdc4df03d45aa685302d03067_zps0101db4d.jpg
And new cfl's, (4 days growth)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/60d69a50ec7cb266e6243cf865d470bd_zps5125c601.jpg
Floyd R Turbo
05-15-2013, 02:28 PM
There's an open and shut case...
itzrulez
05-15-2013, 03:58 PM
wow, big difference...
There's an open and shut case...
OK, here's a more pressing conundrum;
This shot shows the light transmission through a FOUR day old screen with new, reflected cfl's (this side has just been cleaned);
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/6ab20d63318e8857059edaf2458ba86b_zps477f6044.jpg
and in the interests of comparison, a reverse shot through the same screen using the LED UFO;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/23d6b9a99a794d8fe26c7a305311e5be_zps605ce3fb.jpg
so, after 4 days, there are parts of the screen that are not being bathed in light (and this is 4 days on one side only). The conundrum is "why do these sections continue to grow" for another 5 days in my case.
while I'm here I may as well post the picture of what algae created organics actually looks like when aerated (not rinsed my screen after harvest for last two cleanings). The skimmer goes crazy for a while, then these extra large bubbles subside;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/2b6b6f49046acc016ca2145346d3f431_zpsc5dbbb50.jpg
Ok, here's my spin on this phenomena. The light deprived algae turns heterotrophic in the presence of exudates from the screen above, which is green and growing well. Hence "white" algae which is not noticable if you clean both sides of the screen or the screen is cleaned back to the canvas;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/a59e47050143262d262104abe1171e9a_zpsc634aff9.jpg
This would also reduce skimmate production from some systems in my view. I may be barking up the wrong tree but my conclusion seems to tick all the boxes. The answer to this would be "increase light", reduce screen cleaning periods (even further), increase the screen size relative to guidelines or give up on the idea that the screen will produce foods for corals etc. Any thoughts?
24hrs on and it's still there (green taking over though)
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/45405fa10a6acb43b6d02783f3cd614c_zpse490d0ad.jpg
Another 24 hrs, it's almost gone, for now;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/c4f33c99c2ad651a7bd0c5e73bc28bf3_zps374be7d1.jpg
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/1a8239ba5af2b3dc7c0ad67f99743a9e_zps4307039e.jpg
Ok, found evidence that algae can indeed survive dark periods buy organic uptake;
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?2712-Algal-ORGANIC-uptake-of-C-N-P-in-INORGANIC-N-amp-P-limitation&p=32063#post32063
And to show that the white has gone [80 hrs after cleaning];
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/968e76af18ff1a0d2923f9b9cbf14e76_zpsf25ef5cf.jpg
Sorry if you folks are finding this boring, I don't ;)
itzrulez
05-22-2013, 09:13 PM
I'm happy that you're having a nice growth!
And that the Green covered the white :D
would be nice some pics without water and light, to see the real green!
I'm happy that you're having a nice growth!
And that the Green covered the white :D
would be nice some pics without water and light, to see the real green!
Your wish is my command; 5 day screen
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/455deaba582f9c94ad33fc9cc3a91169_zps8bb78786.jpg
itzrulez
05-23-2013, 09:34 AM
nice growth! ;D
a side picture would be nice too...
just to show the thickness!
nice growth! ;D
a side picture would be nice too...
just to show the thickness!
This shows the screen at 16 days, you can see how effective the light blocker is;
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj597/Garf1971/fc4fa60bc75b37cca66e41122fdc4134_zps73cb1d40.jpg
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